Top Commander of Dreaded Militia Gunned Down By Kenya Police, Sources Say

A top commander and a wanted member of the dreaded militia, Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) David Chemaima Sichei was among three suspects who have been gunned down by police in an ongoing military operation to flush out the militia along the Kenya-Uganda border, the Kenya police announced on Saturday.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, police spokesman, Eric Kiraithe said that investigations have revealed that Sichei was one of the top SLDF commanders and described the killings as a major breakthrough in breaking down the militia group, saying the campaign to net the rebels was ongoing.

A joint police and military operation to contain members of the SLDF who have been terrorizing innocent Kenyans have been going in Mount Elgon since last month with the army saying they have managed to capture a number of key suspects.

Members of the militia declined a two week ultimatum that ended on March 31, with the government stating that they will mount a “merciless” crackdown on the militia.

Kiraithe refuted reports by the United States based Human Rights Watch (HRW) that the military is torturing innocent Kenyans to produce information on the whereabouts of the members of the militia.

Already, a number of people have come out claiming that they have been tortured by military officers prompting HRW to accuse the government of violating human rights.

On Friday, President Mwai Kibaki declared that the ongoing security operation in Mount Elgon will continue until all criminal elements are brought to book.

According to the Red Cross, the SLDF have killed more than 600 people and displaced over 600,000 people over land grievances in the area.

Source African Press Agency

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